A lot has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry alive. However does the internet adaptation of this classic game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an established game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law throughout United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can gamble on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a good many bingo players with no choice.